Cherries boss Bradbury: I got it wrong

LEE Bradbury is adamant a harsh lesson in the timing of substitutions paid dividends as Cherries held on for victory at Walsall. Boss Bradbury made three second-half changes as Cherries successfully defended Michael Symes's 52nd-minute goal to claim a 1-0 win at Bescot Stadium. It came just a week after Cherries had surrendered a lead against Leyton Orient, with Bradbury openly admitting he had left his substitutions too late. Assistant boss Steve Fletcher, a 78th-minute replacement for Symes, was immense as Cherries defended like Trojans during the closing stages at Walsall. Bradbury had received criticism from some quarters for unleashing Fletcher against Orient after the visitors had scored a dramatic 90th-minute leveller. I am not pretending I know everything straight away, said Bradbury, in a candid interview with the Daily Echo. I am new to this and am learning as much as the next new manager. Looking back, we were angry with ourselves against Orient because we should have brought on Fletch earlier. It is something you learn from and we changed it sooner against Walsall. I have learned to go with my instincts and to trust myself. It is one of those things and I am sure I will have plenty more learning curves to come. Bradbury extended to six games his unbeaten start as Cherries manager with striker Symes continuing to flourish since returning from a frustrating and injury-ravaged four-month spell under previous boss Eddie Howe. I spoke to the whole group after Eddie had left and said whatever had gone on before, everybody started with a clean slate, said Bradbury. Symesey seems to have taken that on board and has been excellent. The tempo was set in training on Friday. The lads were different class and it was the best I had seen them train, in general, since I have been at the club. Symesey was on fire and it was fitting he should score the winner at Walsall. He holds up the ball well and brings other people into play. He is an aerial threat and has two good feet. He is going to be a massive player for us between now and the end of the season. He came over to celebrate with us after he had scored the goal. I think he was just thanking us for the belief we have shown in him. He is repaying us 10-fold and, hopefully, he can do it a few more times this season.

Source: Bournemouth_Echo